Tips for Glowing Skin. Part 3. Moisturize the Skin

All skin types can get dehydrated. Whether your skin type is oily or dry is determined by the amount of oil your skin produces. Dehydration on the other hand, is determined by the amount of hydration (water) your skin maintains. Most people have dehydrated skin. Even people with an ‘oily/combination’ skin type because it can still be lacking hydration. And most people don’t exfoliate their skin either (see this post on exfoliation for more info) which can cause a build up of dry, dead skin cells on the surface of your skin, blocking pores and causing breakouts.

There are many types of moisturizers out there for every skin type.

I know many of you who have oily skin types are afraid to moisturize. Every skin type has a natural acid mantle (like an ideal state that it likes to be in). So if you strip your skin by using a harsh face wash and don’t moisturize after, your skin will overproduce oil (in order to get back to that natural acid mantle) and your skin can end up even oilier as a result. But if you moisturize your skin with the right moisturizer, your skin will be balanced and happy.

And we all want happy skin right?

Here are some of my favorites:

Linacare moisturizer. Available and Beautymark.ca and Curlique Boutique

Linacare Moisturizer – I discovered this moisturizer on a whim after Christmas a few years ago when sample sets of this moisturizer were on sale at a local beauty boutique. My skin took to this immediately. It was developed over 20 years ago by a Harvard trained doctor and scientist. It has a revolutionary transdermal water transport system which delivers specially engineered hydrated lipid molecules to the skin’s deepest cellular layers. Translation = This bad boy gets deep in there to moisturize. I know for sure that it definitely hydrates my skin better than any moisturizer I’ve tried, yet it doesn’t make my skin oily or give me milia (whiteheads) as I am prone to them if a cream is too rich.

Available at Beautymark Boutique and Beautymark.ca

Mario Badescu Seaweed Night Cream – I’ve been using this cream for almost 8 years now and I can honestly say this is a holy grail product for me. It is oil-free (so it doesn’t clog pores) yet it’s still uber hydrating and contains Hyaluronic acid, seaweed and collagen. I honestly don’t know what I’d do without this cream.

Available at Curlique Boutique in Vancouver

Embryolisse Lait Crème Concentrate – A French Pharmacy favorite, this is a great moisturizer especially if you’re a little drier and if you wear foundation as it can act as a primer and moisturizer in one. Often raved about by beauty bloggers and makeup artists alike, this product has reached cult status in many circles. It can even be used as a mask or a makeup remover.

Available at maccosmetics.com or MAC locations

MAC Studio Moisture Fix Spf 15 – I used this moisturizer for many years before I began using Linacare. It’s a great one for everyday if you want a moisturizer with some sun protection. It’s no-frills, lightweight and hydrating and a great one for use on a daily basis.

Honorable mentions:

Available at The Bay and other retailers.

Clarins HydraQuench Cream– I have used this in the past and though I don’t use it anymore, it’s a great option for a basic moisturizer.

Everyone’s skin is different so some of these may not be right for you depending on your skin type. No matter what your skin type is, I encourage you to seek what is right for your skin because you will be living in this skin for the rest of your life.

These products are tried and true for me. I have normal/combination skin and sensitive skin that reacts very quickly if I mess around too much with it and these favorites have stood the test of time in my skincare routine.